Grizzlies put it all together at scrimmage

After two weeks of training and two-a-days, the Montana volleyball team finally got to put it all on the court on Saturday. The team played four sets in an intrasquad scrimmage, and overall, the results were encouraging.

"All you can ask for in a scrimmage is all-out effort and attention to detail, and I think we saw that on both sides today," head coach Allison Lawrence said. "There were some momentum swings and some lapses in execution, but that's going to happen. I was really proud of everything that happened today."

Veterans Mykaela Hammer, Missy Huddleston and Cassie Laramee paced the Grizzlies with 12 kills apiece. The attacking was split fairly evenly, though, with seven different players getting at least 19 swings, and all seven putting down at least nine kills.

Getting the offense going – both the middles and the pin hitters – has been a theme of fall camp. Lawrence said they're always working to get the middles more involved, and that she's seen a difference in their ability to make quick decisions. The feedback from the setters on Saturday was the same.

For the outsides, Lawrence thought the attackers managed their swings wisely, which in turn resulted in more kills.

"Knowing when to swing high and deep, when to mix up shots, when to go for your kill… they're starting to understand when their terminating opportunities are and when their opportunities are to manage a swing and put us in a good position to play some defense and score from there," she said. "That shows a big sign of their mental game and how far along all six of them have come."
Among the other kills leaders were sophomore Maddy Marshall (10 kills), freshmen Elsa Godwin (10) and Olivia Bradley (nine), senior Alexis Urbach (9), and junior Janna Grimsrud (8 on .500 hitting).

Team White won all four sets (25-22, 25-14, 25-22, 26-24), but aside from Hammer and setter Ashley Watkins, players rotated between teams to test out different lineups. In leading the White squad, Watkins had 42 assists, three blocks, three service aces and six kills. Perhaps most impressive, her offense hit .410 throughout the match.

Senior Brittany Gay and freshman Casey Stites split setting duties for the Maroon squad. Gay had 13 assists and her offense hit .323 in the third set.

"We've been attacking really well, and it's so fun to see how much that has grown over fall camp," Gay said. "It was a lot of fun to finally get out there and play as a team. We play against each other every day, but just getting to compete in a game environment in front of people was awesome."

(8/18/2018) VB Scrimmage

Urbach, who has been slown the past several seasons due to injury, had eight kills and six service aces. Five of the aces came on consecutive points early in the fourth set, the tightest frame of the day in which the Maroon team – made up primarily of youngsters – held set point at 24-23 before falling 26-24 to a veteran group that included the majority of last year's starting lineup.

"It's been the same feel in practice," Lawrence said of the underclassmen. "We've had sets in practice where the lineups reflect that, and the freshmen are pushing everybody around them."

Another bright spot was blocking, with the Grizzlies combining for 15.5 team blocks on the afternoon, including five apiece from Hammer and sophomore Baily Permann, and four from Bradley.

"Our blocking has gotten a lot better," Permann said. "There's still room for improvement in everything, but I feel like we blocked well. I thought on defense we were going for balls. We were never giving up on plays, going all out and trying to touch everything."

More than the stats, though, Saturday was an opportunity to put everything that the team has been working on over the past two weeks to play – and to do it in front of fans.

"It was nice to finally come out and play," Permann said. "It's not a real match, but we were in live situations, in front of a crowd. It's awesome to see a lot of our hard work paying off."

Added Lawrence: "The team had a different energy, just knowing there were going to be fans watching. It was so fun to see that many people from the community come out. I think that's a big testament to what the team is building, and how they're connecting with the community and the way they play in front of their fans. I'm really proud of that for them, and with them."

The Grizzlies will take Sunday off before transitioning to game week. The team will train Monday through Wednesday in Missoula before traveling to California on Thursday. Montana plays at UC Riverside on Friday (1 p.m.), before facing Cal State Fullerton (12 p.m.) and Akron (6 p.m.) on Saturday.

"You always get to this point after fall camp, and you have the feeling that there's never enough time to prepare. Yet I always feel like I'm chomping at the bit to start the season. Whether we've looked under every rock or not, it's time, and our team knows it's time, and we're ready to compete.

"I think the way they entered the gym today, and attacked today as a gameday, shows me that they are so hungry for real gameday. Their poise and their attitude is what we need to have success."

Great Griz Encounter on Wednesday
Montana's annual preseason tradition, the 23^rd annual Great Griz Encounter, is moving on campus to Washington-Grizzly Stadium this year. Fans will have the opportunity to meet their favorite Griz athletes, including the entire volleyball team, on Wednesday evening from 5-7:30 p.m. In addition to pictures, autographs, food and games, fans can stay to watch Black Panther on the stadium jumbotron, beginning at 7:30 p.m. The event is free.

University of Montana Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Olivia Bradley

Brittany Gay

Elsa Godwin

Janna Grimsrud

Mykaela Hammer

Missy Huddleston

Cassie Laramee

Maddy Marshall

Baily Permann

Casey Stites

Alexis Urbach

Ashley Watkins

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